Hi Katy
We have been using this system for a long time and find it an excellent way
of sorting out school groups. We use laundry buckets which we raise a bit
higher on wheels to help staffs backs. We also have 2 large metal trolleys -
the type you see in Tesco when they are re-stocking the shelves - which we
use for particularly big groups. Neither are lockable we store them in our
front entrance area when not needed for lunch periods so they are under the
supervision of staff. In the 6 years I have been working we have never had
an issue of stealing and the occasional lost bag is easily found! To make
our lives easier each trolley or 'blue box' has a wipe clean board on it.
Each morning we label a suitable number (about 30 bags fir in a box and 60+
in a trolley) of boxes with the school name, the group name if we need to
split the school up, the time they are allocated for lunch and the time they
are leaving. Allocated front of house staff greet the schools. Organise the
filling of the boxes and then ensure that the bags arrive at the right place
for lunch and leaving. We allow 1/2 ah hour for lunch then clean the lunch
area for the next group.
I don't know the supplier for the boxes and trolleys but I imagine an
internet search for laundry boxes and super market supplies would get you
somewhere. Some of the big business catalogues have similar things in as
well. You need to get something built to withstand a lot of hard usage.
Ours certainly have a tough life but stand up to it well.
As an aside, I have seen lockable boxes in operation. They are a good
substitute in areas which are not secure or observable by staff, however,
they can be a problem if children need things from their boxes. They also
don't seem to have such a long life as it is often difficult to get them
closed and locked when full of bags - I have seen staff sitting on them to
get them closed which is not good for the box or the lunches inside!
Hope this helps
Jo
PS if you want to come and see what we do I'd be happy to show you.
--
Joanne Pinder
Exhibition Supervisor
Techniquest
Stuart Street
Cardiff
CF10 5BW
T +44 (0) 29 20 475 475
F +44 (0) 29 20 482 517
Email [log in to unmask]
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